As a high-profile public voice on matters religious, he knows his role will differ in many ways from the supporting role he's used to. "I think it underscores the importance for me to really listen attentively and effectively to the Catholic community in Utah, relying on our own scriptures, revelation and tradition in the teaching of the church."

While he believes that Catholic teaching on most societal issues is well-known, he suspects he'll be asked to comment on how he would apply that teaching to a given set of circumstances.

"I think that requires me to be collaborative, to find out what the issue is and to understand it in all its complexity as best I can. ... My prayer for myself is that I'll be faithful to the truth, to speak the truth in season and out, whether convenient or inconvenient, popular or unpopular.

"That's what it means to proclaim the gospel — not to take the easy way out, but to be willing to state the truth as we see it in our church."

He said he has no misgivings about how those positions will play out. He does not appear either strident or political, and those closest to him say he is masterful at building bridges of understanding even in the most difficult of circumstances.

Some have wondered at the cultural shock they believe he'll experience, moving from one of the nation's most liberal urban enclaves — both in politics and lifestyle — to the West's bastion of conservatism.

Yet he seems prepared to take it all in stride.

When word came earlier this year that a Park City priest had begun holding a special Mass for gays and lesbians, some local Catholics balked. A few started writing letters of concern over what they perceived as support for a lifestyle the church does not condone, according to one local report.

Bishop Wester said Wednesday he hasn't seen or read anything about the issue locally, and had not received any mail about it. But ministry to gays is part of daily life in the San Francisco Archdiocese.

"We have a parish in the heart of the Castro district — the center of gay and lesbian community. They serve the people of that parish. There is no title saying, 'Well, we're going to have this Mass for these people.' Mass is for everybody, for all parishioners."

When faced with such issues, he said, he remembers a story one of his first pastors used to tell about a woman who complains about bringing her purse to communion because she's afraid someone will steal it. His retort: "Good. The church welcomes everyone."

Yet he understands the issue is delicate because "our revelation is such that marriage and sexual intimacy is to be expressed between husband and wife in the sacrament of marriage. That's our clear teaching."